Patient's question:
Enuresis, Chinese medicine prescribed decoctions, Hello, is it better to take it before meals or after meals? What kind of assistance do you need: Child 5 years old, enuresis, Chinese medicine prescribed decoctions, Hello, is it better to take it before meals or after meals...Doctor's answer:
Also known as enuresis, it generally refers to a child's uncontrolled urination during deep sleep. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, bedwetting in children may be caused by kidney yang deficiency.1. Before meals: Generally, take the medicine 30–60 minutes before meals. The condition is located below, so taking the medicine before meals helps the medicinal properties to be more easily distributed and take effect, such as in cases of liver and kidney deficiency or lower body ailments. Treating intestinal diseases also benefits from taking medicine before meals, as the stomach is empty, allowing the liquid medicine to directly contact the gastrointestinal mucosa and pass quickly into the intestines, where it is more effectively refined and takes effect without being dissolved by food in the stomach, which could interfere with its efficacy.
2. After meals: Generally, take the medicine 15–30 minutes after meals. The condition is located above, so taking the medicine after meals helps the medicinal properties to descend. For treating conditions of the heart, lungs, chest, and upper abdomen, taking the medicine after meals allows the properties to move downward. Medicines that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract are better taken after meals to reduce harm to the gastrointestinal mucosa. Medicines with stronger toxicity are also better taken after meals to prevent side effects caused by rapid refinement. Therefore, it is recommended to take the medicine before meals.